Ralph E. Fariss

Funeral services will be held from 4 to 8 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 5, at the American Legion Post in West Point. A time for sharing of memories will be at 7 p.m. The Kimzey Funeral Home, Mt. Pleasant is assisting the family with the arrangements. Online condolences may be sent to www.kimzeyfuneralhome.com. Memorials may be directed to the Montrose Fire & Rescue Department or the Lee County Sherriff’s Department.

He was born Oct. 12, 1938, in Batavia. He was the son of Clarence and Frances (nee Duke) Fariss Dosher. He graduated from Mt. Pleasant High School in 1957. He furthered his education for two years with studies at Iowa Wesleyan College.

He worked at the Murray Iron works prior to his entrance in the United States Army. He was inducted on June 15, 1957. He served as a Combat Engineer with Company B of the 495th Engineer Battalion. He was discharged to the United States Army Reserves at Camp Leroy, Wisc. on Aug. 7, 1962, and released from his term of duty in the reserves on April 30, 1964.

For five years, he was a truck driver for North American Van Lines and Ruan Trucking and Truck Transport. He worked two years for Van Winkle Well Drilling, Plumbing, Heating and Electrical. He then began a 15-year career with Freuhauff Trucking.

He was a 21-year member of the Teamsters Union. He was a member of the American Legion Holtz Geers Post #668 in West Point. He was formerly a member of the Elks Lodge in Keokuk and as well as the Loyal Order of the Moose in Ft. Madison. In his spare time, he loved to ride his BMW motorcycles and play golf. He also enjoyed camping and fishing.

He is survived his three daughters, Tamera (Jeff) Arbogast of New London, Tonja (Brad) Carlson of Burlington and Regina (Mark) Hunter of Hillsboro; a brother, Herbert “Bud” Fariss of Central Point, Oregon; seven grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.